Brian McClair battles in star search

Manchester United’s academy chief has a warning for aspiring youngsters

IF OLD Trafford is the Theatre of Dreams, then Carrington is the factory for them. Inside Manchester United's training complex, Brian McClair speaks quietly, yet passionately, about his role as head of the club's academy. His hair is greyer and his face ruddier than when he was a player with Motherwell, Celtic, United and Scotland, yet he still conveys the same intelligence as he talks.

"I only ever had two ambitions when I was growing up. One was to be a professional football player. The only other thing that attracted me, I think because of the length of the holidays, was teaching. I fulfilled my ambition of being a footballer, arguably, and I am now teaching football. We have kids in here from eight years of age and you come in and see them smiling before training, smiling during training and going home with a smile. Playing in the games,